More Information

District Home

The Massachusetts 24th Masonic District consists of nine very active
lodges in south central Massachusetts.

The District is very close knit and quite often, many of the brethren
attend cross Lodge functions. Our Lodges are like Massachusetts itself -
in that diversity is key. Not only in the membership, but the Lodges
themselves. We have a Paul Revere Lodge. We have lodges who have merged
together. Since they have been chartered, most lodges have moved through
many buildings. Some have remained in their same locations.
Please check out the '24th Lodges' link to view the specifics on the
lodges and then jump over to the calendar to see what events are coming
up next!

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

Freemasonry is the oldest
and largest world wide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man
under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Although of a religious nature,
Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members, however, to be
faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs.

The organization of
Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within
its own territory. There is no central authority governing all Grand
Lodges. However, to be acknowledged by others, acceptable traditions,
standards and practices must be maintained.

WHAT IT DOES

As a fraternity,
Freemasonry provides an opportunity for men to meet and enjoy friendly
companionship. In the spirit of helpfulness and brotherly love and
guided by strict moral principles it encourages goodwill toward all
mankind. Freemasonry is of a personal nature in its private ceremonies.
Its ritual dramatizes a philosophy of life based on morality. It
promotes self improvement. The tools of operative masons are used to
symbolize and teach the basic principles of brotherly love, charity, and
truth which Masons are encouraged to practice in their daily lives.
Charity is a tangible way in which Masons help those whose circumstances
in life fairly warrant it. Nationwide, Masons donate $3 Million per day
to charity!

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Our traditions can be
traced directly to the associations of operative masons. They were men
of outstanding character and high ideals, who built the cathedrals,
abbeys, and castles of the Middle Ages.

With the decline of
cathedral building in the 17th Century, many guilds of stonemasons,
called "Operative" masons, started to accept into their membership those
who were not members of the masons' craft and called them "Speculative"
or "Accepted" masons.

It was in these groups,
called lodges, comprised mainly of "Accepted" masons that Freemasonry,
as we know it today, had its beginning.

In 1717, four such
lodges, which had been meeting regularly in London, united to form the
first Grand Lodge of England under the direction of a Grand Master. From
that first Grand Lodge, Freemasonry has spread throughout the world.
Today, some 150 Grand Lodges have a total membership of approximately
four million Masons. There are approximately 44,000 Masons in
Massachusetts alone. In the past three years, we have grown by over 4000
members!

MEMBERSHIP

In Massachusetts,
membership is for men, 18 years of age or older, who meet the
qualifications and standards of character and reputation, who are of
good moral character, and who believe in the existence of a supreme
being.

A man who wants to join a
lodge must contact a lodge near him. He must understand that his
character will be investigated. After approval by the members of that
lodge, he will be accepted as an applicant for membership in
Freemasonry.

The doors of Freemasonry
are open to men who seek harmony with their fellow man, feel the need
for self-improvement and wish to participate in making this world a
better place to live.

Any man who becomes a
Mason is taught a pattern for living - reverence, morality, kindness,
honesty, dependability and compassion. He must be prepared to honor his
country, uphold its laws and respect those in authority. He must be
prepared to maintain honorable relations with others and be willing to
share in Masonic activities. Freemasonry is a way of life which is unequaled by any other fraternity.